Vehicle Protection Grating

ABSTRACT

A vehicle protection grating, system, and method protect a vehicle against projectiles. In one embodiment, the vehicle protection grating includes a stabilizer. The vehicle protection grating also includes a second stabilizer on an opposing side of the vehicle protection grating from the stabilizer. The stabilizer and the second stabilizer each have a plurality of stabilizer links. Each stabilizer link is connected to another stabilizer link by a bar. In addition, the bar extends from the stabilizer to the second stabilizer. The vehicle protection grating is sufficiently flexible to be rolled into an overlapping configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of vehicle protection and more specifically to protection for vehicles against projectiles.

2. Background of the Invention

There is an increasing need for protection of vehicles against projectiles. In various regions of the world, both military and civilian vehicles have come under increased attacks from projectiles such as rocket propelled grenades. Methods for protection against projectiles have included vehicles with armored plates and reactive aimer. Drawbacks to such methods include the armored plates and reactive minor positioned directly on the vehicle, which does not prevent the projectile from contacting the vehicles.

Methods have been developed to overcome such drawbacks. One of such methods is bar armor. Bar armor includes rigid panels of metal bars attached around the perimeter of a vehicle. Drawbacks include the complication of attaching the panels to the vehicle in the field. For instance, the panel sequence must typically be known to allow a user to attach the panels to the vehicle. Further drawbacks include inflexibility of the rigid panels. Additional drawbacks include inefficiencies in attaching the panels to different sizes and types of vehicles.

Consequently, there is a need for an improved method for protecting vehicles against projectiles. Further needs include improved vehicle minor for protection against projectiles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a vehicle protection grating. The vehicle protection grating includes a stabilizer. The vehicle protection grating also includes a second stabilizer on an opposing side of the vehicle protection grating from the stabilizer. The stabilizer and the second stabilizer each have a plurality of stabilizer links. Each stabilizer link is connected to another stabilizer link by a bar. In addition, the bar extends from the stabilizer to the second stabilizer. The vehicle protection grating is sufficiently flexible to be rolled into an overlapping configuration.

These and other needs in the art are addressed in another embodiment by a grating protection system for a vehicle. The grating protection system includes a plurality of vehicle protection gratings. Each vehicle protection grating includes a stabilizer. The vehicle protection gratings also include a second stabilizer on an opposing side of the vehicle protection grating from the stabilizer. The stabilizer and the second stabilizer each have a plurality of stabilizer links. In addition, each stabilizer link is connected to another stabilizer link by a bar. The bar extends from the stabilizer to the second stabilizer. Each of the vehicle protection gratings is sufficiently flexible to be rolled into an overlapping configuration. Moreover, the grating protection system includes a plurality of attachment brackets. The attachment brackets are secured to the vehicle. The attachments brackets attach the vehicle protection gratings to the vehicle.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that from the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the concept and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle protection grating having stabilizer links and bars;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of a vehicle protection grating shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle protection grating having stabilizer links and bars in which the vehicle armor has been rolled into an overlapping configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a bar locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an attachment bracket; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a grating protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of vehicle protection grating 5 having stabilizers 10, stabilizer links 15, and bars 20. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of vehicle protection grating 5. FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of vehicle protection grating 5 shown in FIG. 1. Without limitation, vehicle protection grating 5 provides protection for a vehicle by preventing a projectile such as rocket propelled grenades from passing through vehicle protection grating 5 and directly contacting the vehicle. For instance, the projectile may strike vehicle protection grating 5 instead of the vehicle. Without limitation, the destructive force of the explosion from the projectile may be dissipated before reaching the vehicle. In an embodiment, vehicle protection grating 5 is composed of high strength to weight ratio materials. In embodiments, vehicle protection grating 5 may be composed of any high strength to weight ratio materials suitable for use with military or civilian vehicles. For instance, without limitation, vehicle protection grating 5 may be composed of steel, titanium, composites, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, vehicle protection grating 5 has a flame retardant coating and/or is composed of a flame retardant material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, vehicle protection grating 5 has a plurality of bars 20 disposed parallel to each other with a fixed distance between each bar 20. In embodiments, the distance between each bar 20 is about the same, with all of the stabilizer links 15 having about the same length and having bar openings 70 at about the same distance from each other. In alternative embodiments, bars 20 may have different distances between them. It is to be understood that the distance between bars 20 is selected to be a distance sufficient to stop a projectile from passing between bars 20 while maintaining a clear line of sight. For instance, without limitation, the projectile may contact vehicle protection grating 5 and explode instead of directly contacting the vehicle. The fixed distance may be any sufficient distance. In an embodiment, the fixed distance is between about one inch and about three inches, alternatively between about two inches and about three inches, further alternatively between about two inches and about 2.5 inches, and further alternatively about 2.25 inches. Vehicle protection grating 5 has a stabilizer 10 on opposing lateral sides of vehicle protection grating 5. Stabilizers 10 extend longitudinally for about the length of vehicle protection grating 5. Stabilizers 10 include stabilizer links 15. In embodiments as shown, bar 20 has bar ends 80 on opposing longitudinal ends of bar 20. In embodiments as further shown, stabilizer links 15 have bar openings 70 on opposing longitudinal ends of each stabilizer link 15. Bar openings 70 have a diameter sufficient to allow bar ends 80 to pass therethrough. In embodiments, each bar end 80 of a bar 20 passes through a bar opening 70 with at least a portion of the bar end 80 exposed on the opposing side of stabilizer link 15 from the remaining portion of the bar 20. In some embodiments, bars 20 are substantially rotatable about a longitudinal axis of bar 20. In an embodiment, bars 20 are not substantially rotatable. In embodiments, bars 20 may be secured to a stabilizer link 15.

In embodiments, vehicle protection grating 5 has an adjustable length. The length of vehicle protection grating 5 may be adjusted by removing a desired number of stabilizer links 15 and bars 20 or by adding a desired number of stabilizer links 15 and bars 20. For instance, without limitation, in an embodiment to reduce the length of vehicle protection grating 5 as shown in FIG. 2, bar 20′ and stabilizer links 15′ are removed to reduce the length of vehicle protection grating 5 by about the length of stabilizer link 15′. As another non-limiting example, in an embodiment to increase the length of vehicle protection grating 5, two stabilizer links 15 and a bar 20 may be added to either end of vehicle protection grating 5, which increases the length of vehicle protection grating 5 by the length of an added stabilizer link 15. In an embodiment, each stabilizer 10 has at least three stabilizer links 15. Without limitation, stabilizers 10 having at least three stabilizer links 15 facilitate a sufficient rigidity in the stabilizers 10. In embodiments, the stabilizer links 15 are about the same length. In alternative embodiments, each stabilizer 10 has less than three stabilizer links 15. Further, without limitation, by having an adjustable length, vehicle protection grating 5 facilitates its use in protecting vehicles of different sizes and configurations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which vehicle protection grating 5 has been rolled into an overlapping configuration, with stabilizer links 15 overlapping other stabilizer links 15. It is to be understood that such an embodiment facilitates transportation (i.e., facilitates field deployment) and storage of vehicle protection grating 5. In such an embodiment, bars 20 are sufficiently rotatable within bar openings 70 to allow vehicle protection grating 5 to be rolled into the overlapping configuration.

In embodiments, vehicle protection grating 5 has bar locking mechanism 25, for instance as shown in FIG. 4. Bar locking mechanism 25 may attach bar 20 to stabilizer link 15. Bar locking mechanism 25 may include any means suitable for attaching bar 20 to stabilizer link 15. Without limitation, examples of suitable bar locking mechanisms 25 include lock pins, retaining rings, bushings, fixative, or any combinations thereof. In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, bar locking mechanism 25 is a bushing. In an embodiment (not illustrated), bar locking mechanism 25 is a retaining ring. In embodiments, bar locking mechanism 25 allows sufficient movement of bar 20 to allow vehicle protection grating 5 to be rolled into the overlapping configuration shown in FIG. 3 but does not allow bar end 80 to pass back through bar opening 70 in the direction of the opposing stabilizer link 15.

Vehicle protection grating 5 may be secured to a vehicle by any suitable means. In an embodiment, vehicle protection grating 5 is secured to a vehicle by an attachment bracket 35. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an attachment bracket 35. Attachment bracket 35 may be secured to the vehicle 30 by any suitable means. For instance, without limitation, attachment bracket 35 may be secured to the vehicle 30 by welds, adhesives, screws, pins, and the like. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, attachment bracket 35 has bracket base 40 and bracket arms 45. Bracket base 40 extends the longitudinal length of attachment bracket 35 and provides the contact surface 85 with vehicle 30. Bracket arms 45 extend outward away from contact surface 85. The embodiment of attachment bracket 35 shown in FIG. 5 has three bracket arms 45. However, it is to be understood that attachment bracket 35 is shown with three bracket arms 45 for illustration purposes and is not limited to three bracket arms 45. In embodiments (not illustrated), attachment bracket 35 may have less than three bracket arms 45 or more than three bracket arms 45. Bracket arms 45 include bracket arm sides 50, 55. In an embodiment as shown, bracket aim sides 50, 55 extend outward from bracket base 40 parallel to each other. The extension outward of bracket arm sides 50, 55 provides an area between bracket arm sides 50, 55 that comprises bracket arm interior 60. In an embodiment, bracket arm sides 50, 55 are a distance Y apart, which provides the diameter of bracket arm interior 60. Distance Y is a distance sufficient to allow a portion of a bar 20 to be disposed in bracket arm interior 60 (i.e., distance Y is larger than a diameter of bar 20). In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, a vehicle protection grating 5 may be attached to vehicle 30 by securing attachment bracket 35 to a desired location on vehicle 30. Vehicle protection grating 5 may then be pressed into attachment bracket 35 with a portion of at least one bar 20 disposed in a bracket aim interior 60. In embodiments, attachment bracket 35 also has bracket locking mechanism 65. Bracket locking mechanism 65 may include any suitable means for preventing a bar 20 from exiting bracket arm interior 60. For instance, without limitation, bracket locking mechanism 65 may include a pin, screw, bolt, retaining ring, and the like. In embodiments, bracket locking mechanism 65 includes a pin, a retaining ring, or any combinations thereof In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, bracket locking mechanism 65 is a pin. As shown, the pin extends between bracket arm side 50 and bracket arm side 55. In embodiments as illustrated, the pin extends between the ends of bracket arm side 50 and bracket arm side 55 distal to bracket base 40. In embodiments as shown, bracket locking mechanism 65 (i.e., pin) is insertable through bracket arm side 50 and bracket arm side 55.

In embodiments, a plurality of vehicle protection gratings 5 are attached to vehicle 30 in a grating protection system 75. In an embodiment, grating protection system 75 has a sufficient number of vehicle protection gratings 5 attached to vehicle 30 to substantially prevent a projectile from directly contacting vehicle 30. In such an embodiment, the plurality of vehicle protection gratings 5 of grating protection system 75 may be attached in any desired configuration to vehicle 30. In some embodiments, grating protection system 75 has vehicle protection gratings 5 attached to vehicle 30 in overlapping configurations. Without limitation, vehicle protection gratings 5 may provide increased protection to vehicle 30 from projectiles in the locations at which the vehicle protection gratings 5 overlap. FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a grating protection system 75 for a vehicle 30 in which vehicle protection gratings 5 are disposed in an overlapping configuration. In an embodiment, grating protection system 75 includes vehicle protection gratings 5 attached to vehicle 30 about the perimeter of vehicle 30 in configurations sufficient to substantially protect one or both horizontal sides, a front side, and/or a back side of vehicle 30 from a projectile. In some embodiments, grating protection system 75 protects a top side and/or a bottom side of vehicle 30.

It is to be understood that vehicle 30 may be any type of vehicle. For instance, without limitation, vehicle 30 may be a military vehicle, a civilian vehicle, a construction vehicle, a train, and the like. In embodiments, vehicle 30 is a military vehicle.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle protection grating, comprising: a stabilizer; a second stabilizer on an opposing side of the vehicle protection grating from the stabilizer; wherein the stabilizer and the second stabilizer each comprise a plurality of stabilizer links, and wherein each stabilizer link is connected to another stabilizer link by a bar, and further wherein the bar extends from the stabilizer to the second stabilizer; and wherein the vehicle protection grating is sufficiently flexible to be rolled into an overlapping configuration.
 2. The vehicle protection grating of claim 1, further comprising a fixed distance between each bar.
 3. The vehicle protection grating of claim 1, wherein the vehicle protection grating comprises flame retardant materials, a flame retardant coating, or any combinations thereof.
 4. The vehicle protection grating of claim 1, wherein each stabilizer link comprises a bar opening on opposing longitudinal ends of each stabilizer link.
 5. The vehicle protection grating of claim 4, wherein each bar comprises a bar end on opposing longitudinal ends of each bar, and wherein each bar end is passable through a bar opening.
 6. The vehicle protection grating of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the bar end is exposed on an opposing side of the stabilizer link from a remaining portion of the bar.
 7. The vehicle protection grating of claim 1, wherein the vehicle protection grating comprises an adjustable length.
 8. The vehicle protection grating of claim 7, wherein a stabilizer link and an opposing stabilizer link are removed from the vehicle protection grating to reduce the vehicle protection grating length.
 9. The vehicle protection grating of claim 7, wherein stabilizer links are added to opposing sides of the vehicle protection grating to increase the vehicle protection grating length.
 10. The vehicle protection grating of claim 1, further comprising a bar locking mechanism.
 11. A grating protection system for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of vehicle protection gratings, wherein each vehicle protection grating comprises: a stabilizer; a second stabilizer on an opposing side of the vehicle protection grating from the stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer and the second stabilizer each comprise a plurality of stabilizer links, and wherein each stabilizer link is connected to another stabilizer link by a bar, and further wherein the bar extends from the stabilizer to the second stabilizer; and wherein the vehicle protection grating is sufficiently flexible to be rolled into an overlapping configuration; and a plurality of attachment brackets, wherein the attachment brackets are secured to the vehicle, and wherein the attachment brackets attach the vehicle protection gratings to the vehicle.
 12. The grating protection system of claim 11, wherein the attachment brackets each comprise a bracket base and a plurality of bracket arms.
 13. The grating protection system of claim 12, wherein each attachment bracket comprises a longitudinal length, and wherein the bracket base extends for substantially about the longitudinal length.
 14. The grating protection system of claim 12, wherein each bracket arm comprises a bracket arm side and a second bracket aim side opposing the bracket aim side.
 15. The grating protection system of claim 14, wherein each bracket arm comprises a bracket arm interior disposed between the bracket aim side and the second bracket arm side.
 16. The grating protection system of claim 15, wherein the bracket arm interior comprises a distance between the bracket arm side and the second bracket arm side greater than a diameter of a bar.
 17. The grating protection system of claim 16, further comprising a bracket locking mechanism, wherein the bracket locking mechanism prevents a portion of a bar disposed within the bracket aim interior from exiting the bracket aim interior.
 18. The grating protection system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the vehicle protection gratings is disposed between the vehicle and another vehicle protection grating.
 19. The grating protection system of claim 11, further comprising a distance x between each bar, wherein the distance x is between about one inch and about three inches.
 20. The grating protection system of claim 11, wherein the vehicle protection gratings comprise an adjustable length. 